PHOTO; PPU

By Rose Kasigwa and PPU

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called upon Ugandans to reject corruption and make decisions based on principles and national interest rather than short-term financial incentives, which are likely to distort democratic outcomes.

“Why should you be influenced and throw away your power to elect your desired candidate? Therefore, when you see someone bringing money that you elect, avoid them. You have the power; don’t throw it away,” President Museveni said.

Addressing a rally on Wednesday, 18^thJune , 2025, at Kituntu sub-county, Mpigi district as he concluded his nationwide Parish Development Model (PDM) zonal tour in Greater Mpigi, President Museveni commended the people of region for supporting the National Resistance Movement (NRM), assuring them that the government has put in place measures to stop vote rigging, which happened in the 2021 elections, where the opposition rigged 2.7 million votes as a result of the negligence of some of the NRM people.

“We have now introduced biometric machines to ensure everybody votes once. We shall not allow vote rigging anymore,” he emphasized.

The remarks come at a time when the country is preparing for the 2026 general elections.

At the same event, President Museveni received 184 converts from other political parties to the NRM.

The presidential tour of Greater Mpigi included engagements with district leaders, PDM SACCO beneficiaries, and farmers across the districts of Butambala, Gomba, and Mpigi, focusing on evaluating household-level transformation efforts and strengthening local economic enterprises under the PDM.

“I’m happy to be back here in Kituntu sub-county after a long time,” President Museveni said, mentioning that among the NRM’s contributions to Uganda is peace, which has enabled the population to engage in wealth creation activities and contribute to national development.

“The other day we held such a meeting in Gombe up to the night hours, but when I was returning to Kampala at night, people were still working with their shops open, almost all trading centers,” President Museveni noted, emphasizing that after peace, the government has realized several developmental initiatives such as electricity, roads, health centers, and schools where the NRM has made some good contributions.